LB 

1772 




\A/4-A^ 



THE 

EXAMINATION 
HANDBOOK 




State of West Virginia 
Department of Free Schools 

Charleston 
1916 



TRIBUNE PRINTINa CO., CHARLESTON, W. VA. 



THE 

Examination Handbook 

Giving the Provisions 
for the 

Certification of Teachers 

and the Issuing of 

Elementary Diplomas 



M. p. SHAWKEY 

State Superintendent 

GEORGE E. HUBBS 

Supervisor of Examinations 



State of West Virginia 

Department of Free Schools 

Charleston 

1916 



-^\1^^ 

\-^^*:^>' 



Fel). 


3-4. 


March 


16-11. 


May 


18-19. 


April 


6- 7. 



EXAMINATION DATES FOR 1916. 

First Test for Elementary Diplomas. 
Second Test for Elementary Diplomas. 
Third Test for Elementary Diplomas. 
Examination for Elementary, Renew- 
al, and Primary Certificates. 

June 1- 2. Examination for Elementary, Renew- 
al, Primary, High School, Supervisor's 
and Special Certificates. 

July 20-21. Examination for Elementary, Renew- 
al, Primary, High School, Supervisor's 
and Special Certificates. 

In making inquiry about examination work state 
the date and county in which the examination re- 
ferred to was held. 





EXAMINATION SCHEDULE. 










Thursday Forenoon. 






8:00- 


- 8:15. 


Assigning seats to appli- 
cants, announcements, 










etc. 


Vi 


hr. 


8:15- 


-10:00. 


History, 


1% 


hr. 


8:15- 


-10:00. 


Betts and Hall's "Better 










Rural Schools" 


1% 


hr. 


10:00- 


-12:00. 


Arithmetic, 


2 


hr. 


10:00- 


-12:00. 


Charter's Teaching the 










Common Branches 


2 


hr. 






Thursday Afternoon. 






1:00- 


- 2:15. 


Civil Government, 


IV^ 


hr. 


2:15- 


-4:15. 


Theory and Art, 


2 


hr. 


4:15- 


- 5:30. 


Physiology, 
Friday Forenoon. 


IV^ 


hr. 


7:45- 


- 9:45. 


Grammar, 


2 


hr. 


9:45- 


-11:15. 


Agriculture, 


iy2 


hr. 


11:15- 


-12:00. 


Orthography, 
Friday Afternoon. 


% 


hr. 


1:00- 


- 1:30. 


Penmanship, 


V2 


hr. 


1:30- 


- 3:30. 


Reading, 


2 


hr. 


3:30- 


- 5:00. 


Geography, 


IVa 


hr. 



Method and Management, and Grammar (same as 
for the Elementary certificate) are required of all 
applicants for Special certificates. Applicants for 
the Special certificate in Drawing should provide 
themselves with white drawing paper 9x12, draw- 
ing pencil, scissors, crayola or water colors. 



D. -Of D^ 
l^EB 3 .1916 






DEPART3IENT OF FREE SCHOOLS. 

M. P. SHAWKEY 

STATE SUPERINTENDENT 

W. C. GIST 
ASSISTANT STATE SUPERINTENDENT 

L. L. FRIEND. 

SUPERVISOR OF HIGH SCHOOLS 

L. J. HANIFAN 
SUPERVISOR OF RURAL SCHOOLS 

GEO. E. HUBBS 

SUPERVISOR OF EXAMINATIONS 

JOHN L. RAMSEY 
STATISTICS AND SUPPLIES 

EVELYN V. BROWN 
CLERK 

LILLIAN CARVER 
EXAMINATION CLERK 

ANNA McCLELLAN 
CLERK 

RAYMOND A. LEE 

CLERK 

LAURA CHAMBERS 
EDITH PERKINS 

STENOGRAPHERS 



J. F. MARSH 

SECRETARY TO STATE BOARD OF REGENTS 

M. J. ABBEY (Part Time) 

SUPERVISOR OF ELEMENTARY AGRICULTURE 
TEACHING 

W. W. SANDERS (Part Time)' 

FIELD WORK AMONG COLORED SCHOOLS 



STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION. 

MORRIS P. SHAWKEY, State Supt. of Schools, 

President, Member ex-officio. 
WALTER BARNES, Fairmont, First District. Term 

expires May 30, 1918. 
J. N. DEAHL, Morgantown, Second District. Term 

expires May 30, 1917. 
F. L. BURDETTE, Clarksburg, Third District. Term 

expires May 30, 1920. 
J. D. GARRISON, Secretary, Middlebourne, Fourth 

District. Term expires May 30, 1919. 
C. R. MURRAY, Bluefield, Fifth District. Term 

expires May 30, 1916. 



'^:i 



INTRODUCTION. 

This edition of the Examination Handbook con- 
tains a statement of the legal requirements for all 
teachers' certificates issued in the State. By the 
acts of the Legislature of 1915 the general pro- 
visions for the certification of teachers were con- 
siderably revised and in this handbook will be found 
a statement of the most important revisions. 

It will be noted that the State Board of Educa- 
tion is authorized to specify most of the conditions 
for the issuance of certificates upon graduation, or 
other credentials. These conditions so far as they 
can be made general are stated in this Hand- 
book. Persons desiring more definite information 
should write to the secretary of the State Board of 
Education, Principal J. D. Garrison, Middlebourne, 
West Virginia. 

There are three examinations for teachers' cer- 
tificates held each year, the dates of which are 
fixed by the State Superintendent. These examina- 
tions are held at one or more points in each county 
under the supervision of the county superintendent. 
All manuscripts submitted are sent to the State 
Department of Schools for grading and all certifi- 
cates are issued by the State Superintendent. 

It will be noted by reference to sections 57 and 
80 of the School Law that every teacher employed 
in the State is required to hold a valid certificate, 
and that no salary shall be paid to any teacher 
unless his certificate is filed. If teachers will be 
careful in the observance of this provision of the 
law they will often save themselves much incon- 
venience. 

Information concerning examinations may be pro- 
cured from county superintendents or from the 
State Superintendent. 

GENERAL PROVISIONS. 

(Excerpts from the School Law.) 
Section 57. No person shall be employed to 
teach in a free school of this state until he has 
presented to the board of education having charge 
thereof, a valid teacher's certificate which shall be 
filed until the close of the school term with the 
secretary of the board of education of the district 
wherein said school is situated, and so endorsed by 
the secretary, and no salary shall be paid to any 
teacher unless such certificate be so filed. 



5 

Subjects Taught. 

Section 78. In the free schools of this state 
there shall be taught reading, orthography, penman- 
ship, arithmetic, English grammar and language, 
United States and West Virginia history, general 
and West Virginia geography, civil government, 
agriculture, physiology and hygiene, and in connec- 
tion therewith the nature of alcholic drinks and 
narcotics, with special instruction as to their effect 
upon the human system; and in addition thereto in 
high schools, such other subjects as may be required 
in the course of study prescribed by the state board 
of education; provided, that the board of education 
of any district or independent district or any county 
high school board may establish in the elementary 
or high schools under their control, schools, depart- 
ments, or classes for the teaching of manual train- 
ing, home economics, agriculture, commercial sub- 
jects and such other industrial and vocational sub- 
jects as they may determine, and maintain the same 
from the school funds of their district or county. 
Said board of education or county high school board 
may at their discretion provide for the continuance 
of such industrial and vocational instruction beyond 
the regular school term. 

Exaniiiiatioix and Certification of Teachers. 

Section 80. No person shall be employed to 
teach in the free schools of this state or shall re- 
ceive for teaching any part of any free school fund 
who is not of good moral character and physically 
and mentally qualified to perform the duties of a 
teacher, who has not attained the age of eighteen 
years on or before the first day of September of the 
year in which his certificate was issued, and who 
does not at the time he enters upon his duty hold a 
valid teacher's certificate covering the period of his 
employment. 

KINDS OF CERTIFICATES. 

The acts of the legislature of 1915 provide for 
the issuance, by the state superintendent of schools, 
of the following certificates: 
, 1. Elementary. 

2. Short Course. 

3. Normal School. 

4. High School. 

5. Supervisor's. 



6. Special. 

a. Kindergarten. 

b. Primary. 

c. Music. 

d. Drawing. 

e. Physical Training. 

f. Home Economics. 

g. Manual Training, 
h. Agriculture. 

(Special certificates in other subjects may be 
added as the needs of the schools may require.) 

7. State Life. 

(1) ELEMENTARY. 

(Upon examination only.) 

There are three grades of elementary certificates, 
namely, the first, second and third. Applicants for 
elementary certificates are required to pass a satis- 
factory examination on the following eleven sub- 
jects: 

Orthography, Reading, Penmanship, Arithmetic, 
English Grammar and Language, Physiology and 
Hygiene, United States and West Virginia History, 
Geography, Civil Government, Agriculture, Theory 
and Art of Teaching. 

The required average and minimum per cent and 
the minimum salary for each grade are as follows: 

First Grade. Average, 90 per cent; minimum, 
75 per cent; minimum salary, $50.00 per month. 
Renewable foi' five-year periods. (For full infor- 
mation concerning the renewal of this certificate, 
see page 13.) 

Second Grade. Average, 80 per cent; minimum, 
68 per cent. Not renewable. Minimum salary, 
$40.00 per month. 

Third Grade. Average, 70 per cent; minimum, 
60 per cent. Not renewable and cannot be issued 
more than two years in succession to the same per- 
son. Minimum salary, $30.00 per month. 

First grade elementary certificates are valid in 
all the schools of the state; second grade, and third 
grade elementary certificates are valid in all the 
grades of the elementary schools, but no person 
shall be employed as principal of any school who 
does not hold a first grade certificate or its equiva- 
lent. 



(2) SHORT COURSE. 

(Not issued, upon examination.) 

The short course certificate is issued to those who 
have completed the short course in the normal 
schools of the state, the normal training course in 
high schools of the state that have been approved 
by the state board of education, and to those who 
have completed in other schools of the state a 
course of study that is, in the judgment of the state 
board of education, equivalent to the short course 
offered in the normal schools. 

This certificate is valid for three years and may 
be renewed once; it is equivalent to a first grade 
certificate in the payment of salaries and is valid in 
all the grades of the elementary schools. 

For information concerning the renewal of this 
certificate see page 14. 

Teachers and students who wish definite informa- 
tion concerning the short course should write to 
the principal of the normal school of their choice. 
The names and addresses of the principals are as 
follows: 

1. Concord Normal School, L. B. Hill, Athens, 
W. Va. 

2. Fairmont Normal School, Joseph Rosier, 
Fairmont, W. Va. 

3. Glenville Normal School, E. G. Rohrbough, 
Glenville, W. Va. 

4. Marshall College, O. I. Woodley, Huntington, 
W. Va. 

5. Shepherd College, Thos. C. Miller, Shepherds- 
town, W. Va. 

6. West Liberty Normal School, John C. Shaw, 
West Liberty, W. Va. 

7. Colored teachers and students should send 
inquiries to Pres. Byrd Prillerman, Institute, W. Va. 

(3) NORMAL SCHOOL. 

(Not issued upon examination.) 
The normal school certificate, valid for five years, 
is issued to graduates in the diploma course of the 
state normal school and its branches, to graduates 
in the diploma course of the West Virginia Col- 
legiate Institute, and to those who have completed 
a diploma course of study in any other school of 
this or other states that, in the judgment of the 
state board of education, is equivalent in all respects 
to the diploma course of study in the state normal 



school and its branches. Normal school certificates 
are valid in all the grades of the elementary schools 
of the state and in high schools, and in the payment 
of salaries and renewal are considered as first grade 
certificates. 

The application blank for this certificate may be 
obtained from the state superintendent, or the 
principal of the school from which the applicant has 
graduated. 

(4) HIGH SCHOOL. 

(Upon examination.) 

Average at least 85 per cent., no grade below 65 
per cent., valid in elementary schools as well as in 
high schools; valid for five years and renewable for 
five year periods provided the applicant has taught 
three years during the preceding five year period. 
(For full information concerning the renewal of 
this certificate see page 15.) 

Applicants for the high school certificate are re- 
quired to pass an examination in ten subjects, four 
of which are designated by the State Board of Edu- 
cation, the remaining six being chosen by the appli- 
cants from an optional list submitted by the Board. 

For this certificate the four required subjects are: 

(1) Educational Psychology and Method. 

(2) History of Education and School Manage- 
ment. 

(3) Rhetoric and Composition. 

(4) Literature — English and American. 

The remaining six subjects may be elected from 
the following: 

History — (1) American History and Civics (2) 
English History (3) Ancient and Mediaeval His- 
tory. 

Language — (1) Latin — thru Virgil (2) Greek 
- — thru Xenophon (3) German — two years (4) 
French — two years. 

Mathematics — (1) Algebra (2) Plane Geometry 
(3) Solid Geometry (4) Trigonometry. 

Science — (1) Physics (2) Chemistry (3) Phys- 
ical Geography and Elementary Geology (4) Botany 
(5) Agriculture (6) Zoology (7) Physiology. 

Examinations for this certificate will be offered 
in connection with the second and third examina- 
tions for elementary certificates of each year. 
Questions for these examinations will be sent to 
those counties only in which there are applicants, 
and persons intending to take this examination 



should notify the county superintendent at least 
three weeks in advance of the examination. 
(Upon graduation.) 

The high school certificate is issued to graduates 
of the West Virginia University and to graduates of 
other colleges and universities of this and other 
states who have completed courses of study equiva- 
lent to the courses offered by the West Virginia 
University, but each applicant for a certificate upon 
graduation must have had not less than twenty 
semester hours in education. This certificate shows 
the subject or subjects the holder is especially quali- 
fied to teach. 

The application for this certificate should be ac- 
companied by a statement properly certified by the 
Registrar of the school attended, showing in detail 
the amount and character of work done by the ap- 
plicant in educational subjects. 

Applicants for the high school certificate upon 
graduation should secure an application blank from 
the state superintendent or from the secretary of 
the State Board of Education, Prin. J. D. Garrison, 
Middlebourne, W. Va. 

(5) SUPERVISOR'S. 

(Upon examination.) 

Supervisors' certificates valid for five-year periods 
are issued to persons who have taught not less than 
three years on a first-grade certificate and who pass 
a satisfactory examination in School Administra- . 
tion, School Law and the State Course of Study, ^ 
Hygiene and Sanitation, Psychology and Method, 
Sociology, and five other subjects chosen by the 
applicants from the optional list submitted for the 
high school certificate. Average not less than 85 
per cent. No grade below 65 per cent. 
(Upon graduation.) 

These certificates are issued to persons who have 
taught not less than three years on a first grade cer- 
tificate or its equivalent and who are graduates of 
the state university, the normal schools or other , 
schools of the state approved by the state board of 
education. Applicants for this certificate upon 
graduation must have had not less than twenty 
semester hours in education, at least five of which 
have been in school supervision. Persons entitled 
to receive this certificate upon graduation may ob- 
tain the necessary application blank from the state 



10 



superintendent or the secretary of the state board 
of education, Prin. J. D. Garrison, Middlebourne, 
W. Va. 

(6) SPECIAL. 

The Special certificate is issued to kindergarten 
teachers, primary teachers, and special teachers and 
supervisors of music, drawing, physical training, 
home economics, manual training, agriculture, and 
special teachers of such other subjects as the needs 
of the schools may require. It may be issued upon 
examination or upon the satisfactory completion of 
such courses of study as the state board of educa- 
tion may approve. It is valid for the teaching of 
the special subject designated and in the payment 
of salaries is considered as a first grade certificate. 

(Upon examination.) 

Primary certificate — Applicants for this certifi- 
cate must have taught at least two years on a first 
or second grade certificate; valid in lowest grade in 
town or city schools having four or five teachers; 
in first and second grades of town and city schools 
having six or seven or eight teachers, and in first, 
second and third grades in town or city schools 
having more than eight teachers; considered as 
first grade certificates in determining salary and 
renewal; average at least 85 per cent; no grade 
below 65 per cent. 

• This certificate is designed for those who have 
made special preparation for primary work. It 
should be recognized by those seeking teachers as 
a mark of special proficiency. Those without 
special training or unusual self-preparation should 
not expect to secure this certificate. Applicants for 
the Primary certificate should be familiar with 
several standard text-books on each subject. 

As stated above, applicants for the Primary cer- 
tificate must have taught at least two years on a 
certificate of first or second grade; but certificates 
of these or equivalent grades issued in other states 
or in cities will be accepted as satisfying this re- 
quirement for admission to the examination. 

To obtain the Primary certificate applicants are 
required to be examined in nine subjects, seven of 
which are prescribed by the State Board of Educa- 
tion and two are chosen by the applicant from a 
list of four optional subjects. 

The prescribed subjects are Elementary Litera- 



11 



ture, Child Study and School Management, School 
Hygiene and Sanitation, Primary Reading, Number 
Work, Nature Study, and Writing. 

The optional subjects are, History for Children, 
Story Telling, Drawing, and Music. 

Examinations for this certificate will be offered 
in connection with each of the regular examina- 
tions of the year. Questions for these examinations 
will be sent to those counties only in which there 
are applicants, and persons intending to take these 
examinations should notify the county superinten- 
dent at least three weeks in advance of the examina- 
tion. 

Primary certificates are renewable upon the same 
conditions as are elementary certificates. For the 
first renewal no examination is required. 

Other special certificates are issued to persons 
who pass a satisfactory examination upon the fol- 
lowing: 

(1) The major subject as indicated in the name 
of the certificate applied for. 

(2) School Methods and Management. 

(3) English Grammar (same as for the ele- 
mentary certificate.) 

In each case where the same subject appears on 
different certificates the same list of questions will 
be used. 

Applicants for this certificate should give their 
county superintendent not less than thirty days' 
notice of their intention to take the examination, 
indicating the kind of certificate for which they will 
apply. 

(Upon credentials.) 
Special certificates are issued to persons who 
present to the State Board of Education satisfac- 
tory credentials showing that they have completed 
not less than — 

(1) twenty semester hours in the major sub- 
ject as indicated in the name of the certificate ap- 
plied for. 

(2) twenty semester hours in English. 

(3) six semester hours in professional subjects. 

(7) STATE IjIFE. 

The State life certificate is issued to persons who 
have taught on a first grade certificate or its equiva- 
lent for a period of ten years, or who have been 
otherwise actively engaged in school work for a like 
period while holding such certificate, and who have 



12 



shown superior ability or marked progress in their 
work. This certificate is valid in all the schools of 
the state and is equivalent to a first grade certifi- 
cate in payment of salaries. 

No definite rule for the issuance of this certificate 
has been made by the State Board of Education, 
each application being considered separately. 

Persons who wish to apply for this certificate 
should write to the State Superintendent or to the 
Secretary of the State Board of Education for a 
blank application. This blank is prepared in such 
a way that applicants can get a fairly good idea of 
the requirements of the State Board. When apply- 
ing for this certificate applicants should give as 
definite answers as possible to all questions, and in 
addition should have three prominent school men 
write letters to the State Board concerning the ap- 
plicant's standing as a teacher with special reference 
to any of his work which shows "superior ability 
or marked progress." 

(8) EMERGENCY. 

The Legislature of 1911 enacted a law providing 
for the issuance of emergency certificates. The con- 
ditions under which these certificates may be issued 
can best be expressed by quoting the law providing 
for them. 

"Sec. 94. Upon the request of the county super- 
intendent of schools of any county the state superin- 
tendent of schools may issue emergency certificates, 
under such regulations as shall be prescribed by the 
State Board of Education, to persons who were un- 
able to take any of the regular examinations for 
reasons that shall be fully explained under oath to 
the State Superintendent of Schools. For such 
emergency certificates a fee of $1.50 shall be paid 
to the County Superintendent of Schools, who shall 
deposit the same with the Auditor to be credited to 
the general school fund. Such certificate shall not 
be issued more than once to the same person and 
shall be valid only in the county designated in the 
certificate and shall not be valid after June 
thirtieth, following the issuance of the certificate. 
The grade of such certificate shall be determined 
by the State Superintendent of Schools and shall be 
indicated on the face of the certificate." 

This certificate is issued to graduates of four year 
high schools, standard colleges or normal schools 
and to those who pass a special examination in 



Vd 



Spelling, Arithmetic, Grammar, History, Geography, 
and Theory and Art of Teaching, provided for by 
the state board of education. It will not be issued 
to persons who have failed in the regular examina- 
tions or to those who have failed to take the ex- 
amination without sufficient cause. It is expected 
that it will be used only in rare instances for the 
benefit of those who come from other states after 
the regular examination season has closed and for 
a few who for good and sufficient reasons have not 
taken the examination. 

No applications for this certificate are considered 
until after the first of September and no examina- 
tion is arranged for until the number of applications 
on file is sufficiently large to justify the prepara- 
tion of questions and making provisions for holding 
the examination. Questions for these examinations 
will be sent to those counties only in which there 
are applicants. 

RENEWAL OP CERTIFICATES. 

By the acts of the legislature of 1915, the issu- 
ance of graded school certificates and professional 
certificates is discontinued, but all such certificates 
now in force will be valid for the full time for 
which they were issued. First grade graded school 
certificates and professional certificates may, upon 
their expiration, be changed into new forms of cer- 
tificates if renewal requirements now in force are 
met. Graded school certificates will be renewed 
as elementary certificates and professional certifi- 
cates may be changed into high school, supervisor's, 
or state life certificates in accordance with condi- 
tions specified by the State Board of Education. 

First grade elementary certificates are renewable 
under the following conditions: 

For first renewal the applicant must have taught 
three years of the previous five-year period. 

For second or third renewal the applicant must 
have taught three years of the previous five-year 
period, and must pass a satisfactory examination 
on two of the teachers' reading circle books. 

Applicants for second renewal in 1916 will be 
required to pass an examination on the State Course 
of Study with Charters' "Teaching the Common 
Branches" and Betts and Hall's "Better Rural 
Schools," or 

In lieu of the examination ou the reading circle 
books must satisfactorily complete, within the life 



14 



of the certificate or the year immediately following 
its expiration, a six weeks' term in the State Uni- 
versity or one of the State Normal Schools, or any 
private or denominational school recognized by the 
State Board of Education or any other approved 
school. This work shall be of a substantial char- 
acter and enough of it to count for full time for a 
third of a semester or six weeks and should be such 
that the school attended would accept it on a course 
of some kind towards graduation. 

The grades on the reading circle books must be 
at least 75 per cent., and must be high enough to 
maintain a general average of at least 90 per cent, 
in order to secure a renewal as a first grade certifi- 
cate. Persons whose grades are not high enough 
to secure the renewal of their certificates as first 
grades may have them renewed as second grade 
certificates, provided no grade is below 68 per cent., 
the minimum allowed by law for second grade cer- 
tificates. 

The applicant for renewal may take the examina- 
tion in any county, but the application should be 
signed by the county superintendent of the county 
in which the certificate was originally issued or by 
the superintendent of the county in which the ap- 
plicant has taught not less than three years. The 
original certificate accoini>amed by this application 
must be sent to the Department of Schools. A cer- 
tificate submitted for renewal must bear proper 
endorsements showing that the holder has taught 
not less than three years thereon; but a full year's 
work in a standard college or normal school or 
other school approved by the state board of educa- 
tion, done during the life of the certificate or within 
the year immediately following its expiration, shall 
be considered as the equivalent of one year's teach- 
ing on the certificate. This provision applies to 
any or all of the years for which the certificate is in 
force. 

Applicants for renewal may take examination in 
any or all of the subjects listed on the certificate 
with a view to raising the grade on any subject. 

The application for the renewal of a certificate 
must be made within one year from the date of its 
expiration. 

Any short course certificate may be renewed, 
upon its expiration, for one period of three years if 
the holder has taught two years of the previous 
three year period or has done two year's credit 
work in an approved high school or standard normal 



15 



school or other school approved by the state board 
of education. School work submitted in lieu of 
teaching on this certificate must be done within the 
life of the certificate. 

Normal school certificates, if renewed as such, 
are subject to the same regulations as elementary- 
certificates. (See renewal of elementary certifi- 
cates). Any normal school certificate may be 
changed into a supervisor's certificate if the holder 
has taught three years on a first grade certificate 
or its equivalent and has credit in some approved 
school for twenty semester hours in education, five 
of which hours are in school supervision. Persons 
desiring the renewal of normal school certificates 
should apply to their county superintendent or the 
state superintendent for the blank application; if 
the certificate is to be changed into a supervisor's 
certificate the blank application may be secured 
from the state superintendent or the secretary of 
the state board of education, Prin. J. D. Garrison, 
Middlebourne, W. Va. 

Any high school certificate shall, upon its expira- 
tion or within the year immediately following, be 
renewable for five-year periods thereafter if the 
holder thereof has taught successfully or has been 
otherwise actively engaged in public school work 
for three years of each five-year period on said 
certificate. At the termination of the third renewal 
period the holder of such certificate shall be eligible 
to receive a high school certificate valid for life, if 
he has taught or been otherwise actively engaged 
in public school work for not less than three years 
of the last five and has maintained an active interest 
in school work. 

Any supervisor's certificate shall, upon its expira- 
tion or within the year immediately following, be 
renewable for five-year periods thereafter, if the 
holder shall have been actively engaged in public 
school work for not less than three years of each 
five-year period, and upon such other conditions as 
the state board of education shall prescribe. 

Any special certificate shall, upon its expiration 
or within the year immediately following, be renew- 
able for five-year periods, if the holder thereof has 
taught successfully or has been otherwise engaged 
in public school work for three years of each five- 
year period of the life of the certificate, and upon 
such other conditions as the state board of educa- 
tion shall prescribe. 

Inquiries concerning the renewal of professional 



16 



certificates should be directed to the secretary of 
the State Board of Education, Prin. J. D. Garrison, 
Middlebourne, West Va. 

EXAMINATION FEES. 

Each applicant upon taking his first examination 
of the year shall pay to the county superintendent 
a fee of one dollar and fifty cents. Any applicant 
having passed one examination may take subsequent 
examinations of the year upon payment of the full 
fee for taking more than half the subjects, or one- 
half the regular fee for taking a part of the subjects 
not to exceed one-half. 

The fee for the privilege of taking the examina- 
tion for renewal in the applicant's second or third 
examination for the year is 75 cents. 

The fee for the emergency certificate is $1.50. 

The fee for the State Life certificate is $5.00. 

The fee for the certificate upon graduation is 
$1.00. 

The fee for the renewal of a professional certifi- 
cate is $5.00. 

THE PURPOSE OF THE EXAMINATION. 

(a) The primary purpose of the teachers' exam- 
ination is to determine who shall have the right to 
teach in the public schools of the state. In this 
capacity the examination stands as the guardian of 
the children in "West Virginia. It shall be the aim 
of the examinations not only to determine the 
teacher's scholarship but to find out whether he 
knows a subject from a teacher's standpoint — 
whether he has a body of professional knowledge 
about each subject. Every teacher should have 
definite ideas as to the teaching of each one of the 
common school subjects. 

(b) Another use to which the examinations are 
put is that of spurring teachers to academic and 
professional growth. Occasionally a question will 
be used that requires knowledge beyond the ordi- 
nary text book. The examination will cause the 
applicant who has depended upon the narrow cram- 
ming process to feel keenly his limitations. Those 
who prepare the questions and grade the manu- 
scripts will hold applicants responsible for a reason- 
able knowledge of the educational movements in 
the state — knowledge gathered from institutes, pub- 
lications by the Department of Schools and the 
Reading Circle Books. 



17 



(c) The examination questions are also design- 
ed to point teachers to essential facts and methods 
in teaching. 

HOW TO TAKE AN EXAMINATION. 

First: The applicant should be on hand prompt- 
ly at the hour appointed for the beginning of the 
examination and quietly take the seat assigned him 
by the examiners. Each applicant must furnish 
his own pens and holders, ink and pencils. Care 
should be exercised in choosing these materials. 
Not infrequently applicants use pens which are not 
at all suited to rapid writing and in that way get 
behind in their work. Applicants should read care- 
fully and answer correctly every question on their 
part of the enrollment card. THIS IS VERY 
IMPORTANT. 

Second: Read carefully the instructions to ap- 
plicants and be prepared to comply cheerfully with 
all the rules and regulations. Do not ask the 
examiners to make any exceptions in your case for 
they have no authority to do so. 

Third: When the questions are distributed, 
each applicant should read carefully the whole list 
of questions on the subject and decide which ques- 
tions he will try to answer and mark them. If ten 
answers are required, the first, ten will be counted 
and no attention will be paid to the extra answers. 
If five are required, only the first five will be count- 
ed and so on. Applicants must decide which ques- 
tions they will answer; 

Fourth: Many applicants fail to receive certifi- 
cates because they omit answers or parts of answers. 
After you have answered a question, read the ques- 
tion over again and then read your answer and see 
if all the essential points have been covered. 

Fifth: The form of the manuscripts — neatness, 
paragraphing, language, punctuation, and spelling 
— has some effect on the value of the answers on 
all the subjects. The answers should be separated 
from each other by two or three blank lines and 
should be numbered in the middle of the page. 
The blank space at the top of each page should be 
filled out and the pages numbered. On the back 
of the last page the following items should be 
given: 

Name 

Subject 

Address 

Date 



Sixth: When the examiners have announced 
that the time is up, hand in your manuscript with- 
out delay. Do not ask for more time, as the 
examiners are instructed not to accept manuscripts 
which are not handed in on time. 

GRADES AND GRADING. 

(a) The grading board consists of fourteen to 
eighteen members appointed by the State Superin- 
tendent of Schools. A new board is appointed for 
each examination, but several of the graders are 
re-appointed in order to secure more uniformity. 
The members range in attainments from first grade 
teachers to college professors. In choosing this 
board, the aim is to secure graders who thoroughly 
understand school conditions in this state; who are 
broad-minded and unbiased in judgment, and whose 
standing and attainments will bring confidence to 
the applicants and dignity to the system. 

(b) Training graders. Before beginning the 
regular work, the graders meet for instructions and 
drill. When the graders are assembled with the 
State Superintendent and his assistants, the Super- 
intendent takes up a manuscript at random and 
reads an answer. All the members then silently 
record a grade. When the grades on that answer 
are reported, the merits of the answer are discussed 
and some uniform standard established for similar 
answers. This training continues through the vari- 
ous subjects for about one day. Then the graders 
are instructed and set to work. 

(c) Further precaution. The Supervisor of 
Examinations continues to consult with the different 
graders until a uniform standard is well established. 
It is his special duty during the grading to see that 
graders do not grow careless or lose sight of the 
original standard. The graders consult him in re- 
gard to the value of unusual answers. 

(f) An applicant may take all or a part of the 
subjects in each examination, but he must pay the 
full fee for the first examination he enters during 
the year, regardless of the number of subjects he 
wishes to take. In subsequent examinations of the 
same year he may take six subjects or fewer by 
paying one-half the fee. If more than six subjects 
are taken the full fee is required. 



ly 



REVIEWING GRADES. 

After nearly every examination there are some 
applicants who complain that they were not given 
as high grades as their manuscripts deserve. So 
far as possible graders will review the manuscripts 
when requested so to do, but experience shows that 
in a great majority of cases such reviews are fruit- 
less. Occasionally a clerical error is found, how- 
ever, and when found is corrected most cheerfully. 
Naturally persons differ in judgment about the value 
of answers, but when the board of graders, consti- 
tuted as it is of experienced educators, determines 
the standard by which the answers shall be graded, 
it would be improper for the State Superintendent 
to make changes in individual cases, and he will 
not undertake to do so. 

If an applicant is convinced that there is any 
serious error in the grading of his papers his claim 
will be presented to a special review committee 
whose judgment in the matter shall be final. For 
the present year Superintendent H. F. Fleshman^ 
of Hinton, Principal H. C. Robertson of the Tiskel- 
wah School, Charleston, and Miss Lucy E. Prichard, 
Head of the Department of "Certificate Course," 
Marshall College, Huntington, will constitute the 
review committee. 

This committee will meet after the close of the 
examination season to consider applications of those 
who wish their papers reviewed and a statement of 
grades or a certificate will be made in conformity 
to the report of this committee. 

CORRESPONDENCE. 

An examination system directly affecting the in- 
terests of so many naturally makes necessary much 
correspondence. The following suggestions are 
made with the hope that those who read them may 
make their inquiries more effective. 

(a) In making inquiry about examinations, al- 
ways state the date and the county and town in 
which the examination referred to was held. 

(b) While the Department of Schools is ever 
ready to serve the teachers directly, it can generally 
serve them in a more satisfactory way through the- 
county superintendent, hence the teachers should 
first correspond with him, then if necessary the case 
can be referred to the Department of Schools. 

(c) Do not ask for grades until the regular re- 
port is made. To answer such requests means end- 



20 



less trouble and much delay in preparing the grades 
of the patient thousands who wait. 

(d) It is a waste of time to ask for a raise in 
grade as the request is never granted. 

(e) To accuse those who grade the manuscripts 
and make up the certificates of intentional unfair- 
ness is bad professional taste. Constant effort is 
made to be fair and just to all, and the teachers in 
their correspondence should recognize this. 

(f) Teachers should form the habit of using 
business-size stationery and pen and ink for cor- 
respondence of this nature. 

(g) Letters written by teachers should be ex- 
actly correct in form, spelling and grammatical con- 
struction, and should be brief and to the point. 

INSTRUCTIONS TO COUNTY SUPERIN- 
TENDENTS. 

The efficiency of the examination depends, in 
large measure, upon the care and judgment exer- 
cised by the County Superintendents and their as- 
sistants. 

By reference to other pages. County Superinten- 
dents will find answers to most questions concern- 
ing examinations. 

County Superintendents should see that ample 
notice is given with reference to time and places of 
holding the examinations. 

The day before the examination the County Super- 
intendent should have the examination rooms 
thoroughly cleaned. All books and papers must be 
removed from the desks. If possible, vacant seats 
should separate each applicant from other appli- 
cants. 

The enrollment should be completed on the day 
before the examination is to be held. The County 
Superintendent and his assistants should have a 
note of any announcements or regulations to which 
they wish to call attention. These should be an- 
nounced promptly and briefly when the applicants 
have assembled on Thursday morning. 

County Superintendents should see that an ample 
supply of examination paper is provided for each 
examination. A supply sufficient for all the exam- 
inations of the season is sent out each spring and 
those in charge of the examinations should see that 
this paper is not wasted. 

The County Superintendent or the assistants 
should go over all the enrollment cards and see that 
ALL the applicants have answered ALL the ques- 
tions and filled out ALL the blanks properly. This 



21 



will save much trouble and delay for both the 
Department of Schools and the applicant. 

In filling out his part of the enrollment card, the 
County Superintendent should mark plainly his 
grade on Theory and Art. If he wishes to give an 
applicant no grade on that subject, he should place 
a cipher (0) in the blank to indicate his intentions, 
and under "Remarks" give reason. Applicants 
should be instructed to read carefully and answer 
correctly every question on their part of the enroll- 
ment card. The County Superintendent should 
inspect the enrollment cards of all applicants and 
make sure that all questions have been answered. 
These cards should be arranged alphabetically for 
each separate examination and mailed promptly. 
Special envelopes for this purpose have been pro- 
vided. In the first blank space on these envelopes 
should be written the name of the place where the 
examination is held. 

Send the following BY MAIL or PREPAID 
EXPRESS to the Department of Schools not later 
than Monday or Tuesday following the examination. 

(a) Itemized financial report with receipts for 
all expenditures. 

(b) Enrollment cards arranged in COMPLETE 
AND CORRECT alphabetical order. 

(c) Old certificates of applicants for renewal. 
New forms of enrollment cards, financial report, 

and renewal enrollment cards have been provided. 
No old form should be used. If you do not have a 
supply of these they will be furnished upon your 
request which should be made in ample time for 
shipping. 

Applicants for primary, high school, supervisor's 
and special certificates should use the enrollment 
card printed on blue paper. 

The only form to be filled out by applicants for 
renewal of first grade certificates is the yellow en- 
rollment card. This answers the purpose of an 
enrollment card and an application for renewal. 

No applicant from another county who does not 
have written permission from the County Superin- 
tendent of the county in which he resides should be 
admitted to the examination. If the applicant is 
unknown to the County Superintendent and his as- 
sistants, further proof of his identity may be re- 
quired and if there is any doubt as to his character, 
the County Superintendent should make a thorough 
investigation before making a favorable recom- 
mendation. 



Permits should be filed by the County Superinten- 
dent in his office. 

The mailing list is for the convenience of the 
County Superintendent and should be kept by him 
for reference. 

Applicants should be on hand promptly at the be- 
ginning of each session. In no case will an appli- 
cant be allowed to begin a subject after the manu- 
scripts on that subject have been taken up. 

Examiners are not permitted to discuss questions 
with applicants nor should they engage in conversa- 
tion with them during work periods. All questions 
are presumably intelligible and any reasonable con- 
struction of the language will be accepted. 

No person may be admitted to the examination 
rooms except the examiners and the applicants. 

No questions on any subject shall be given out 
until all manuscripts in the preceding subject have 
been collected. The manuscripts in each subject 
should be placed in separate envelopes carefully 
counted and the number indicated on the outside 
and sealed immediately after they have been col- 
lected and counted, and the blank on each separate 
package of manuscripts should be filled out accord- 
ing to directions. When the package of manu- 
scripts is sent to the Department, the name and 
address of the sender should be written plainly on 
the outside of the package. 

Care should be taken to see that no one outside 
the room gets a list of the questions. The opened 
packages of questions should be guarded very care- 
fully. Any applicant who expresses a desire to take 
the examination on any subject and thus secures a 
list of questions, must remain in the room until the 
examination on that subject is finished unless ex- 
cused by those in charge. In no case should an ap- 
plicant be allowed to begin a subject after another 
applicant has been excused. 

While most of our teachers are honest, there may 
be some in the room who wish to use unfair means 
in taking the examination. It is due the honest 
teachers that those in authority be on constant 
guard to detect such unfairness. When an appli- 
cant is caught cheating, he should be dealt with 
promptly, quietly and firmly. 

Attempts on the part of an applicant to com- 
municate or copy or to use books or helps is suf- 
ficient cause for his dismissal from the examination. 

In the examination for certificates other than ele- 
mentary, the manuscripts for each half-day's work 



23 



should be put into a separate envelope and sealed. 
These manuscripts should not be put into the en- 
velopes with manuscripts for the elementary certifi- 
cate. 

If there is more than one examination in the 
county, the manuscripts for each should be wrapped 
separately and the place of holding the examina- 
tion written plainly on the wrapper of each package. 

Care should be taken to see that all manuscripts 
are handed in before the package is sealed, as no 
credit will be allowed on manuscripts found in the 
wrong package. 

If the list of questions on some subject seems 
long or unreasonable, the County Superintendent 
and his assistants have no authority to make any 
allowance on this account, as the Department of 
Schools will adjust such matters. The time limit 
and other regulations must be carefully observed 
regardless of consequences. 

No person who is or has been connected with any 
school whose students are applicants in the examina- 
tion may be appointed as an assistant in the ex- 
amination. 

EXAMINATION SCHEDULE. 

The schedule given below indicates the order of 
subjects and the time allotment for each subject. 
These must be adhered to without any variation or 
change. The hours given in the left hand column 
are intended merely as a suggestion. In some 
counties conditions may make it advisable to begin 
the examinations either earlier or later than is here 
Indicated: 

Thursday Forenoon. 

Assigning seats to appli- 
cants, announcements, 
etc. 1/4 hr. 

History, 1 % hr. 

Betts and Hall's "Better 
Rural Schools" 1 % hr. 

Arithmetic, 2 hr. 

Charter's Teaching the 
Common Branches 2 hr. 

Thursday Afternoon. 

1:00 — 2:15. Civil Government, l^i, hr. 

2:15 — 4:15. Theory and Art, 2 hr. 

4:15 — 5:30. Physiology, 1% hr. 



8: 


:00- 


- 8: 


:15. 


8: 


:15- 


-10: 


:00. 


8; 


:15- 


-10; 


:00. 


10: 


:00- 


-12: 


:00. 


10: 


;00- 


-12: 


:00. 



24 
Fi'iday Forenoon. 



7:45- 


- 9:45. 


Grammar, 


2 


hr. 


9:45- 


-11:15. 


Agriculture, 


iy2 


hr. 


1:15- 


-12:00. 


Orthography, 
Friday Afternoon. 


% 


hr. 


1:00- 


- 1:30. 


Penmanship, 


1/2 


hr. 


1:30- 


- 3:30. 


Reading, 


2 


hr. 


3:30- 


- 5:00. 


Geography, 


11/2 


hr. 



Method and Management, and Grammar ( same as 
for the Elementary certificate) are required of all 
applicants for Special certificates. Applicants for 
the Special certificate in Drawing should provide 
themselves with white drawing paper 9 x 12, draw- 
ing pencil, scissors, Crayola or water colors. 

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 

The county superintendent's grade on theory and 
art. Many teachers seem to have the erroneous 
idea that the county superintendent must give 20 
per cent on theory and art. He may give the full 
20 per cent if he considers the applicant perfect on 
that subject. This grade, ranging from nothing to 
twenty per cent is determined by the teacher's work 
in the school room, his personality, his interest in 
educational meetings, reading circles and other 
means of professional improvement. 

Cheating in examinations. According to one of 
the rules regulating examinations, any applicant 
caught in the act of trying to use unfair means will 
be dismissed from the examination room. If plain 
evidence of cheating is found in the manuscripts 
of an applicant no certificate will be issued to him. 
Evidence of cheating in one subject will cause the 
grades on all subjects to be cancelled. Any one 
guilty of tampering with examination questions, or 
using an assumed name will be dealt with according 
to Sec. 95 of the new School Law. 

Recommendations. Special recommendations and 
"pulls" will in no way affect the grades of an ap- 
plicant as all manuscripts are graded with reference 
only to what the manuscripts contain. 

Writing of Certificates, The successful appli- 
cants in the first and second examinations will re- 
ceive statements showing their grades in each sub- 
ject, their average grade and the grade of certificate 
to which they are entitled. The certificates will 
not be written until after the third examination. 



25 



All the certificates will then contain the highest 
grades made by the applicants during the examina- 
tion season. This will remove the necessity for the 
return of certificates on account of receiving certifi- 
cates of higher grades at the later examinations and 
will simplify the matter of keeping records both in 
the offices of the county superintendents and in the 
office of the State Superintendent. However, if a 
teacher wishes to contract for a school before his 
certificate is received he may present to the board 
of education his official statement showing the 
grade of certificate to which he is entitled and this 
will be sufficient evidence to enable the board to 
accept his contract. 

Sending out Reports. For convenience in send- 
ing out the reports of the examinations the State 
has been divided into three sections. These sec- 
tions have been re-arranged with a view to making 
them more nearly equal in the number of applicants 
in the three examinations. The order of sending 
out the reports will be so arranged as to bring each 
section first in one examination, second in another 
and third in the other. The counties comprising 
the different sections according to the new plan and 
the order in which the reports will be sent out are 
as follows: 

Northeastern section: Barbour, Berkeley, Brooke, 
Doddridge, Grant, Hampshire, Hancock, Hardy, 
Harrison, Jefferson, Lewis, Marion, Marshall, Min- 
eral, Monongalia; Morgan, Ohio, Pendleton, Preston, 
Randolph, Taylor, Tucker, Tyler, Upshur, Wetzel. 
Second in the April examination, first in the June 
examination and third in the July examination. 

Middle section: Braxton, Calhoun, Clay, Gilmer, 
Greenbrier, Jackson, Nicholas, Pleasants, Poca- 
hontas, Ritchie, Roane, Webster, Wirt, Wood. 
First in the April examination, third in the June 
examination and second in the July examination. 

Southwestern section: Boone, Cabell, Fayette, 
Kanawha, Lincoln, Logan, Mason, Mercer, Mingo, 
Monroe, McDowell, Putnam, Raleigh, Summers, 
Wayne, Wyoming. Third in the April examination, 
second in the June examination and first in the 
July examination. 

Lost Certificate. If a certificate is lost or de- 
stroyed, the holder thereof should write to the State 
Superintendent, Charleston, W. Va., requesting a 
blank form upon which to make application for a 
duplicate of the certificate which was lost or de- 



26 



stroyed. Upon return of this affidavit in proper 
form the State Superintendent will reissue the cer- 
tificate. 

Recontracting. If a teacher contracts with the 
trustees of a school or with the board of education 
on a certain grade of certificate and at a later ex- 
amination receives a higher grade of certificate, he 
cannot compel the trustees or board of education to 
re-contract with him, unless there was a previous 
agreement to that effect. However, the board has 
the authority to make new contracts with teachers 
if they have sufficient funds at their disposal to 
warrant them in doing so. Unless the board of 
education accepts and files the new contract, the 
teacher cannot compel them to pay the salary for 
the higher grade of certificate. Teachers ought to 
be willing to have the new contract begin with the 
beginning of a new school month. 

THE ELEMENTARY DIPLOMA. 

LEGAL PROVISION. 

The school law prescribes definitely -the courses 
of study that shall be pursued in the free schools 
of the state and makes further provisions for the 
granting of diplomas to such pupils as complete 
satisfactorily a prescribed course of study. Twenty- 
five thousand copies of the manual containing the 
courses of study have been distributed among the 
teachers and school officers of the state and abun- 
dant material to enable the teachers to carry out the 
said courses of study has been provided so that it 
can be safely said that there is no valid reason why 
every teacher in the state should not be following 
the prescribed course of study. 

The sections of the school law relating to these 
matters are given herewith. 

Section 78. In the free schools there shall be 
taught reading, orthography, penmanship, arithme- 
tic, English grammar and language. United States 
and "West Virginia history, general and state geog- 
raphy, civil government, agriculture, and physiology 
and hygiene, and in connection therewith the nature 
of alcoholic drinks and narcotics, with special in- 
struction as to their effect upon the human system, 
and in addition thereto in high schools such other 
subjects as may be required in the course of study 
prescribed by the state board of education. 

Section 79. It shall be the duty of the state 
superintendent of free schools to prepare and dis- 



27 



tribute a manual containing tlie courses of study 
prescribed by the committee on course of study 
and such other matters as may seem necessary to 
enable teachers to carry out the said courses of 
study, and his further duty to see that the teachers 
in all the various schools follow the course of study 
so prescribed; he shall also provide for the examina- 
tion and graduation of pupils who satisfactorily 
complete the said course of study, and shall issue 
diplomas thereto. 

This diploma may be secured by passing a satis- 
factory examination on the following subjects: 

Reading. 

Orthography. 

Penmanship. 

Arithmetic. 

English grammar and language. 

United States and West Virginia history. 

General and state geography. 

Civil government. 

Agriculture. 

Physiology and hygiene. 

The amount of preparation expected in each sub- 
jects is indicated in the manual containing the 
courses of study. 
DATES AND PLACES FOR HOLDING TESTS. 

The State Superintendent fixes the dates and 
makes other provisions for holding three diploma 
tests each year. The County Superintendent at his 
option may hold tests on any or all of the dates 
fixed but not at any other time. The County Super- 
intendent also determines the number of places 
where the tests are to be held in his county and 
appoints suitable persons to have charge of the 
work. It is not necessary for this to interfere with 
the regular work of the school, and under no cir- 
cumstances should the school be dismissed on this 
account. The County Superintendent should find 
out in advance just where the pupils are who desire 
to take the tests and arrange places accordingly. 
Experience has shown that in most counties the 
test can be held at one point in each magisterial 
district and thereby accommodate all who wish to 
apply. In conducting these tests the general regu- 
lations governing teachers' examinations should 
apply, and any evidence of unfairness on the part 
of examiners or applicants should be dealt with by 
the County Superintendent. 



28 



SUGGESTED SCHEDULE. 

The following schedule for the elementary 
diploma test has been prepared in the hope that it 
will be of some service to the county superinten- 
dents and teachers in conducting the tests. It may 
be advisable to change the program slightly in a 
few instances to adapt it to the local conditions, 
but in most cases some such program as the one 
given below will be found helpful. 

Thursday Forenoon. 



9:00- 


- 9:15. 


Enrollment, etc. 


1/4 


hr. 


9:15- 


-10:30. 


Geography 


11/4 


hr. 


10:30- 


-12:00. 


Grammar 
Thursday Afternoon. 


IV2 


hr. 


1:00- 


- 1:15. 


Penmanship 


1^ 


hr. 


1:15- 


- 2:45. 


Reading 


11/2 


hr. 


2:45- 


- 4:00. 


Physiology 
Friday Forenoon. 


IV4 


hr. 


9:00- 


-10:30. 


Arithmetic 


11/2 


hr. 


10:30- 


-11:30. 


Civil Government - 


1 


hr. 


11:30- 


-12:00. 


Spelling 
Friday Afternoon. 


1/2 


hr. 


1:00- 


- 2:15. 


Agriculture 


11/4 


hr. 


2:15- 


- 3:45. 


History 


11/2 


hr. 



GENERAL REGULATIONS. 

Passing Grades. At a conference of county 
superintendents at Charleston in January, 1911, it 
was decided that the passing grade should be an 
average of, 80 per cent with no grade below 65 per 
cent in any subject. 

Grading. The grading of the manuscripts is to 
be done by the county superintendent and two or 
more assistants appointed by him if he desires 
them. The persons so appointed should be of well 
known character and ability and their names should 
be published in the county papers so that the gen- 
eral public may know by whom this work is done. 

In the matter of grading great care should be 
exercised. If the grading is too close and severe, 
it will be discouraging to both the pupils and their 
teachers and will chill the ambition and hopes of 
the boys and girls. On the other hand if it is too 
lenient, the efficiency of the whole system will be 
lowered and these diplomas will be worthless. 



29 

The graders should not be too technical, watch- 
ing for small mistakes and overlooking the broad 
general grasp of a subject that a pupil may have, 
yet no pupil should be given a diploma who is 
notably deficient in these things. Before pupils 
can expect to receive diplomas they should be able 
to write good clear English in a legible hand and 
show definite and certain knowledge of the subjects 
on which they are being examined. Under no cir- 
cumstances should any pupil's manuscript be graded 
by his own teacher. 

Credit for Former Tests. If the pupil takes more 
than one test in a school year, he may have the 
credit for the highest grades in each test at the op- 
tion of the county superintendent. Also at the 
option of the county superintendent pupils may re- 
ceive credit for these grades made in tests previous 
to this year, if these grades have been properly 
recorded. 

The County Superintendent should keep an ac- 
curate record of the grades made by all applicants 
and at such times as he finds necessary issue diplo- 
mas accordingly. No diploma in blank should be 
sent by the County Superintendent to anyone. Each 
diploma issued should be signed and sent out by the 
County Superintendent. 

SUGGESTIONS TO PUPILS. 

1. The following data should be written at the 
top of each sheet: 

(a) Name of pupil. 

(b) Name of subject. 

(c) Name of school. 

(d) Date. 

2. Write on one side of the paper only. 

3. Number the answers to correspond to the 
questions. 

4. All manuscripts should be written in ink. 

5. In arithmetic complete solutions should be 
given. 

6. No two pupils taking the test should sit at 
the same desk. 

7. Pupils should not be permitted to leave the 
room or communicate with any one except the per- 
son conducting the test. 

8. Pupils should not ask the examiner to explain 
or give information or opinions about questions. 
Any reasonable interpretation of the questions will 
be accepted. 

9. Pupils should not use books, notes or help of 
any kind. 



Makers 



Syracuse, N. Y. 
PAT. JAN. 21,1908 



019 763 714 6 



